Scott Ortman

Scott Ortman

Integrative approaches to the long-term histories of American Indian peoples

Expanding the role of archaeology in the social sciences, and the social sciences in archaeology

His geographical focus is the US Southwest, especially Tanoan-speaking peoples of the Northern Rio Grande region in New Mexico.

Working with Professor Ortman

Professor Ortman’s research includes an emphasis on archaeology and language and the compilation and analysis of regional archaeological datasets. He is currently focusing on the role of culture in economic development in the Northern Rio Grande, including Plains-Pueblo interaction, with new fieldwork in the planning stages.

Professor Ortman is looking for graduate students with the following:

A strong background in archaeology

Good quantitative and writing skills

Interest in and familiarity with American Indian languages

An interest in interdisciplinary research

More about Professor Ortman

Ortman’s research incorporates methods, theories and data from many fields, including archaeology, linguistics, human biology, cultural anthropology, complex systems and psychology to understand the processes of ethnogenesis, social transformation and economic development. His previous work has involved analyses of settlement pattern and artifact assemblage data, bio-archaeological and historical-linguistic data, and functional and stylistic analyses of ceramic and lithic artifacts.